Magnesium: The Miracle Cure for Tinnitus

By - Sabriha Hasan

Tinnitus is the abnormal annoying ringing in your ear. It can be triggered by many things and the condition is more or less permanent. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control around 3 out of 20 people in the United States are suffering from tinnitus.

Among the sufferers, about 50 million of them experience some form of tinnitus; among them, 20 million suffer from chronic and severe cases. Many extensive studies have been launched to look for the cure. 

A systematic review on agents that help prevent noise-induced tinnitus has found that magnesium has been quite helpful in tackling the condition.

How did magnesium cure my tinnitus? 

It helps by preventing the effects of reactive oxygen species in the inner ear and reduces the harmful effects. It helps maintain the normal conduction of sound and general ear health. As a result, the signs and symptoms of tinnitus are reduced.

In this article, we have discussed magnesium and how it helps prevent tinnitus. Keep reading to find out more. 

Magnesium Cured My Tinnitus

Vitamins and minerals are necessary to maintain optimum health. The benefits of these even extend to the ears as well. 

Magnesium is one of the miracle minerals that has proven to be indispensable for ear health. It can play a great role in combating tinnitus.

Magnesium works as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes which is necessary to maintain normal bodily function. Magnesium plays a great role in muscle and bone health. It also maintains normal nerve conduction. 

This miracle mineral also helps maintain blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

Now, let’s talk about how magnesium cures tinnitus. Noise-induced hearing loss is quite a common phenomenon among adults. Researchers have found that magnesium plays an important role in protecting our ears from the damage caused by high volume noise.

Loud noises tend to produce reactive oxygen species in our ears. ROS is also known as free radicals that cause damage to the fine hairs present in the inner ear. 

These fine hairs are necessary to transmit sound signals to the brain. Damage to these hair follicles causes noise-induced hearing loss.

This is where magnesium comes in. Magnesium tends to block the effects of damaging by-products produced in the inner ear due to loud noise. It acts as an antioxidant. In this way, it also relieves the symptoms of tinnitus. It reduces the intensity and security of the symptoms.

If a good amount of magnesium is present then it helps keep the blood vessels dilated which in turn helps to maintain blood flow to the ear. All of this is necessary to maintain ear health.

Magnesium Oil for Tinnitus 

Magnesium can be administered in the body in many ways. Oral supplements are the most common form of administration. 

However, there is an array of methods by which you can use magnesium to tackle your tinnitus. Magnesium oil is one of them.

Magnesium oils can come in the form of drops or sprays. There can be many forms of magnesium but Epsom salt is the most commonly used. The magnesium oil is usually made from a high-quality magnesium compound called magnesium chloride hexahydrate.

Interestingly enough, this compound is mostly found in the dead sea. It can be extracted from other sea surfaces as well. 

When magnesium crystals are suspended in distilled water it forms a thick concentrated form. This concentrated form is then used to make the magnesium oil.

You can use it on your skin or your ears and many other places. It is a great method to administer magnesium in your ears as it works directly on the cells instead of going through the digestive tract. 

A part of the administered magnesium taken orally is always digested in the stomach. As a result, the full concentration doesn’t reach the target site. 

Magnesium Ear Drops

The benefits of magnesium ear drops are the same as any other magnesium product. Ear drops are liquid preparation of a certain medication. 

They are found in suspension, emulsion, or solution forms. As they are in a liquid state it is easy to instill in the ear.  

The ingredients of an ear drop vary depending on the purpose of use. In the case of magnesium ear drops, usually, distilled water, magnesium sulfate, and glycerine are used. The magnesium sulfate is dissolved in water and then mixed with glycerine to make the preparation. 

3-4 drops are enough for a single dose. The glycerine helps soften the ear wax. 

Moreover, magnesium sulfate helps prevent ear damage caused by reactive oxygen species produced in the inner ear and helps reduce the intensity of tinnitus.

Best Magnesium for Tinnitus

Magnesium is available in many forms and preparations. It is necessary to identify the root cause of your tinnitus before looking for a supplement. 

You can choose a magnesium product that caters to your needs.

Magnesium salts are an available form in the market. They do work well, however, they do have extensive side effects. Magnesium salts are notorious for causing diarrhea. As a result, they might not always be the most desirable choice.

There are other forms of magnesium available in the market as well. But not all forms are absorbed well. 

A part of the ingested magnesium gets digested in the stomach. So it is necessary to choose a good product. 

Magnesium citrate and magnesium aspartate have proven to be good products that are readily absorbed and provide protection at the target cells.

Triggers of Tinnitus that are Solved by Magnesium 

Patients suffering from tinnitus can experience a spike in their condition. It can be a change in intensity, pitch, tone as well as a change in sound or eruption of new sounds, etc. Spikes are usually harder to ignore and can be anxiety-provoking.

Tinnitus is usually triggered at random. But, there can be many internal and external factors at work. It can be quite difficult to pinpoint the exact cause for the spike in tinnitus. 

Usually, anxiety attacks, extreme stress, and lack of sleep can trigger tinnitus.

Anxiety-induced tinnitus is a vicious cycle where it causes more anxiety in return and worsens the condition. However, the triggers for tinnitus can vary from person to person. 

It is so subjective that something that triggers one person can provide relief for others.

Some of the most common triggers for tinnitus are as follows:

The spikes in tinnitus usually subside within a couple of days. However, if the tinnitus was triggered by loud noises then it is necessary for the patient to rest their ears to prevent further damage to their hearing.

Other Nutrients That Help Cure Tinnitus

There can be several other nutrients that help to reduce the severity of tinnitus. Some of the best working nutrients are mentioned as follows:

Zinc Cured My Tinnitus

A study on the role of zinc in the treatment of tinnitus states that about 31% of patients suffering from tinnitus may have a low blood volume of zinc. 

46.4% of patients saw a favorable improvement in their condition after being administered zinc supplements. 

Oral zinc medication has proven to both clinically and subjectively improve tinnitus. Regardless of the actual blood zinc level, may it be normal or low the administration of zinc has shown significant progress.

Researchers think that tinnitus as well as hearing can improve if zinc is given at appropriate dosage for 6 months or more. 

The mechanism behind this is that zinc reduces the number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the ear. ROS is most commonly known as free radicals.

Stating it more simply, zinc acts as a sufficient antioxidant in the inner ear.  Even though the exact mechanism is yet to be unveiled, all researchers believe that zinc is indispensable for maintaining hearing health.

Try to amp up your diet with zinc-rich foods. Zinc can be found in an array of foods especially in meats, dairy products, beans, and vegetables. It can also be found in nuts such as peanuts. An additional 30 mg of zinc to your daily diet can show great results. 

However, make sure to limit your intake up to 50mg or less. You can take supplements that have measured doses. It would save you the hassle of measuring out your zinc and provide persistent results. 

B12 Cured My Tinnitus

Vitamin B12 is a vitamin also known as cobalamin. B12 plays an extensive role in maintaining normal body function. The major source of vitamin b12 is through food such as eggs, dairy products, meat, fish, chicken, etc. B12 is not produced by the body.

B12 is mainly necessary for red blood cell production. It also helps in DNA synthesis. Vitamin B12 is also necessary for nerve health. It also sharpens one’s memory and prevents cardiac diseases.

Researchers have found that 42.5% of cases of tinnitus link to vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 supplementation has definitely helped improve the subject’s hearing capability. 

The research is still on the initial level. Further study can prove the theories right and bring B12 to the mainstream treatment regimen. 

Magnesium Tinnitus Worse

Magnesium is known as natural calm. It is supposed to help tackle tinnitus by reducing the intensity of the signs and symptoms. However, that might not always be the case. The experience with tinnitus is quite subjective. 

What works for a certain person might not work for others. 

You might be taking processed foods that contain high amounts of sugar. This makes it even more difficult to handle stress, which is a major cause of tinnitus. Taking your supplements with an unhealthy diet tends to worsen the effects.

It is best to consult your doctor if you’re facing discomfort. It would be better to discontinue magnesium intake if it doesn’t work for you. There is a wide range of treatment options that you can choose from instead of magnesium supplements.

Foods That Are Good to Cure Tinnitus

The best way to get the nutrition for ears is through food. It’s quite the simple but obvious answer. Below are listed some foods that are good for the ears and can help tackle tinnitus.

Magnesium Containing Food

Magnesium is the miracle mineral that has helped patients with tinnitus around the world. Some even swore by saying, “Magnesium cured my tinnitus.” This miracle mineral works best when paired with other minerals like vitamin A, C, and E. 

Magnesium can be found in green leafy vegetables, beans, and nuts like almonds, peanuts, etc. 

It can also be found in meat, fish, and poultry. You can also find magnesium in bananas, broccoli, pumpkin seed, artichokes, etc.

Vitamin A can be found in broccoli, spinach, carrots, squash, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and other colorful fruits and vegetables. It can also be found in liver and dairy products like milk, cheese, butter, etc.

Vitamin E can be found in cod liver oil, sunflower oil, almonds, other nuts, mango, olive oils, and green leafy vegetables. 

Vitamin C on the other hand can be found in citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, fresh herbs, guava, strawberries, etc.

Folic Acid Containing Food

Folic acid is necessary for maintaining the health of the hair cells in the ear. 

Folic acid helps in the formation of the red blood cells which in turn helps maintain proper blood flow. Proper circulation is necessary to maintain good ear health.

As there is no storage of folic acid or folate in the body, you need to take it from your food daily. Folic acid can be found in broccoli, green leafy vegetables, spinach, asparagus, beans, lentils, anchovies, fish, eggs, nuts, cereals, and many more.

Potassium Containing Food

Food containing potassium mainly helps maintain the fluid balance in your body. 

Fluid balance is necessary especially in the part of the ear that transmits sound from the external environment and converts them into electrical signals that travel to the brain.

You can get potassium from bananas, apricots, melons, oranges, spinach, potatoes, beans, tomatoes, and dairy products like milk, and yogurt. 

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Containing Food

The omega-3 fatty acid is good for the blood vessels of your ears. It also helps in maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing damage from inflammation.  You can find omega-3 in chia seeds, walnuts, flaxseeds, beans, fishes like tuna, salmon, olive oil, squash, etc.

FAQs

Can magnesium help ringing in the ears?

Yes. Magnesium has proven to help with tinnitus. It helps by preventing the damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Thus ear health is maintained.

Can magnesium supplements cause tinnitus?

Magnesium supplements do not usually cause tinnitus. On the contrary, they provide comfort tinnitus. However, in some rare cases, it can increase the intensity of tinnitus.

How much magnesium for tinnitus?

The daily dietary allowance of magnesium is 30 milligrams. You can take up to 50 milligrams of magnesium daily. 

Is magnesium bad for tinnitus?

No, Magnesium is not usually bad for tinnitus. It relieves the signs and symptoms. Other than that magnesium is also necessary for maintaining other bodily functions.

How much magnesium should I take a day?

You can take up to 50 milligrams of magnesium in a day. Any amount more than that should be avoided. 

Final Words

Magnesium has great popularity and is so effective that some subjects have even stated that magnesium cured my tinnitus.

The best way to get your magnesium is through food. Other than that there are different preparations available in the market. You can choose one that caters to your needs.